Time for prayer and prosperity
DEEPAVALI stands on record as the world’s greatest celebration of divinity as the light principle. Light is synonymous with the absolute supreme reality since God is the source or the illuminator of all knowledge.
Light dispels the darkness of not knowing and illuminates the path to God realisation.
The origin of the festival of lights is linked to numerous legends described in the Puranas but despite the many and various festivals on the Hindu calendar, it is Deepavali that endures as the only festival common to all Hindus despite regional and linguistic differences.
In this regard, Deepavali can be regarded as a unifying force, uniting the various sects in Hinduism. It unifies young and old and rich and poor.
The Deepavali lamp is known to shine with equal serenity, sanctity and splendour in the home of the rich or poor, in the home of the wicked or the virtuous, in a hut or in a mansion, in the home of the saint or sinner. This illustrates that God sheds his gracious light on all indiscriminately.
Why has this festival of antiquity withstood the test of time? Despite the numerous invasions by foreign nations and the onslaught of various oppressors on the land of its origin, this festival lives on and is celebrated with greater pomp, revelry and reverence because of its spiritual symbolism and relevance for all times and places.
Deepavali and the twinkling little clay lamps have always and will continue to remind humanity of the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, faith over fear, hope over despair and selflessness over selfishness.
All the folklore associated with the celebration of light have at their vortex the idea that God will always come to the rescue of humanity.
Faith in God instils hope in the heart of the believer – hope that light will always dispel darkness; hope that changes adversity into prosperity; hope that the truth and goodness will always prevail.
The taking of the traditional oil bath, adorning new clothes and baking sweetmeats, all form part of the preparations for the glorious festival of lights. Mouth-watering dishes of traditional food, savouries and sweetmeats make up the menu for the day which culminates in the evening prayer at the altar in all homes.
The prayer on Deepavali day is performed to invoke: Mother Lutchmee’s wealth creating energies – not only material abundance but the wealth of well-being and character, marital bliss and so on.
Lord Mahavishnu’s manifestations as Shree Ram, Shree Krishna, Shree Nrsimha and so on, for his energies of protection, sustenance and happiness and the eradication of negative traits.
Lord Shree Hanuman’s energies for victory, steadfast faith, protection, warding off evil and the power to treat adversity and prosperity with equanimity.
The day is spent in visiting the homes of friends and relatives, feeding the poor and exchanging parcels of sweetmeats and other baked goodies.
The night sky suddenly comes alive with the thunderous explosion of crackers and the kaleidoscopic burst of colourful fireworks. The homes glitter with the glorious illumination of millions of clay lamps.
Our Deepavali prayer this year will seek healing for a war and strife-torn world, the weeding out of corruption, prayer for peace and reconciliation, safety and security, good health, moral regeneration, poverty alleviation, educational and economic empowerment, social justice and spiritual growth.
May the light of Deepavali penetrate and illuminate the saddest and darkest of hearts and flood the world with peace, prosperity, safety, success and harmony.
GURU KRIBA VAYAPURI (former teacher, priest, social activist, and religious and cultural leader)
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